OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026: Budgets, Policies, and Community Reports

Meeting PortalTuesday, April 21, 2026
BodyValdez, Alaska
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, April 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

City Council of Order.

0:01

We could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:10

And to the Republic for which the same as one nation under indivisible.

0:21

All right.

0:21

Madam City Clerk, if you take the roll call, please.

0:26

Yes, Mayor Potem.

0:28

All members of City Council are present this evening, with the exception of Mayor Fleming, who is absent and excused.

0:35

Great.

0:37

So next up is public appearances, and if there's no objections, I'd like to move the uh oath of the office of discharge for Officer Hudson up to number one, if that's all right.

0:46

And then we're gonna have um Lynette Oliver from the Valdez Alleged Adventure Alliance.

0:51

I think talk uh gives it update on the bike bash after the UAF T3 update if that works for everybody.

0:59

All right.

1:06

Officer Hudson, you come forward.

1:18

I would have you go to the mic here and read your vote of ethics if I'm first there on there you go.

1:28

As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve all people, safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality, and justice.

2:18

Uh officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions with no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals.

2:33

Malice or will, never employing unnecessary force or violence, and never accepting gratuities.

2:39

I will recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service.

2:48

I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession, law enforcement.

2:57

Okay, so this was a little bit easier, all I can have to say is I do.

3:06

Okay, can we have you raise your right hand as a sign of oath, please?

3:11

Do you, Chase Hudson, solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alaska against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will faithfully discharge the duties upon which you are about to enter?

3:36

I do.

3:38

And do you further swear that you will not advocate or are nor have ever been a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overflow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence, and that during such time as you are member of any organization for civil defense within the state of Alaska, you will not advocate nor become a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overflow overflow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence.

5:00

Thank you, Officer Hudson, for your service to our community.

5:02

Appreciate it.

5:30

All right, thank you.

5:32

All right.

5:33

Next up on our public appearances, we have Copper Valley Electric Association.

5:36

I believe Morgan and Barry are going to be coming up.

5:40

Let's come on up.

6:01

Hey, well, good evening, City Council.

6:03

My name is Morgan Melton, and I am the Chief Communications Officer over at Copper Valley Electric.

6:08

So we're here for two things.

6:10

The first is to give a formal invitation to our annual meeting.

6:13

And then the second is to introduce our new chief operating officer Barry Jackman.

6:18

So Barry recently took over for Wayne McKinsey and is based out of our Valdez office.

6:23

And before I jump into annual meeting details, I want to give Barry a chance to introduce himself and share a little about his background coming to C VEA.

6:31

We're super glad to have him on our team.

6:33

Thanks, Morgan.

6:35

We say new, but I've actually been here for over seven months now.

6:38

And I've been very busy learning.

6:40

My wife and kids are still in Kenai.

6:43

I'm a lifelong Alaska resident.

6:45

I was born and raised in Kenai.

6:46

Lived there my whole life.

6:47

I spent the night last 19 years working for Homer Electric Association.

6:52

And this was the opportunity came up, and uh we came here for a visit and the interview, and just my wife fell in love with the place.

6:59

So they're not here yet.

7:01

I'm in the middle of purchasing a house.

7:02

They will be moving here on June 1st.

7:05

I have three boys, uh, all of them in two of them in high school, one of them in junior high.

7:09

So two of them will be coming here.

7:11

My senior is gonna stay in in Kenai and play soccer for Kenai for his last year.

7:16

So it'll be a little difficult, but we're looking forward to it.

7:19

I'm looking forward to be more involved in the in the city council and uh with the city.

7:23

I've spent a lot of time traveling back and forth and haven't had the opportunity in the last seven months, but I do uh hope to be more involved in the near future.

7:32

Thanks.

7:36

Yep.

7:38

That'd be great.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability██████████████████████████████████34%
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
Youth Programs██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Tourism█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Community Engagement███3%
City Manager Report███3%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Valdez City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Valdez City Council held a regular meeting on April 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included public appearances, consent agenda approvals, new business items including approval of the 2026-2027 school budget, multiple resolutions, ordinances, and reports. All members were present except Mayor Fleming (excused).

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the Consent Agenda (5 items) unanimously: Proclamation for Public Service Recognition Month 2026; MOA with Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for air quality monitoring; MOU with Alyeska Pipeline Service Company for firefighting/emergency response; liquor license renewal for Growler Bay Brewing Company; authorization to enter executive session regarding TAPS ad valorem tax issues.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Dave Tud spoke about the senior citizen and disabled veterans property tax exemption, requesting the item be placed on a future agenda for public input.

Public Appearances

  • Oath of Office: Officer Chase Hudson was sworn in, reciting the law enforcement code of ethics.
  • Copper Valley Electric Association: Morgan Melton (Chief Communications Officer) and Barry Jackman (new COO, based in Valdez) invited the council to CVEA's annual meeting on May 5, 2026, at the Valdez Civic Center. They highlighted the 10-year anniversary of Allison Creek Hydroelectric Plant and a grand door prize (2011 Ford Expedition).
  • UAF T3 Program: Director Adam Low, with teachers Blair Bailey and Mr. Brian, introduced students from the Science Olympiad team. Students shared their experiences, including first-place finishes in several events and the team placing second overall in state. Low praised Valdez as a lead community.
  • Valdez Adventure Alliance: Executive Director Lynette Oliver reported on the 2026 Fat Bike Bash (March). Key stats: 189 total participants (increase of 129 over 2025), 34 tourists, 21 local businesses supported, $5,000 city grant leveraged into $4.80 return per dollar (480% ROI). New intern Imani Mineweaser was introduced. Goals for 2027 include increasing participation and making the event self-sustaining.

Discussion Items

  • 2026-2027 Valdez City Schools Budget: Superintendent Weber presented a detailed budget overview. Highlights: insurance costs rose 20% (up $1 million over two years); budget uses $153,000 from reserves (9% of total); state funding flat for 16 years; city contribution critical. The district is cutting $30,000 from curriculum subscriptions, $40,000 from utilities, and removing a half-time preschool position due to conservative enrollment projections. The budget was approved 6-0-1.
  • Annual Operations Reports: City Manager DeVall presented the format for future department reports (two pages per department: overview and financials). Council requested additions: key performance indicators (KPIs), inclusion of issues/concerns/challenges, and a comparison of actual vs. budget for the prior year. The format will be refined before the July budget cycle.
  • Senior Citizen and Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption: Council discussed a report from finance and public testimony. It was decided to defer any action until after the June strategic planning session, pending clarity on state House Bill 13 and the city's overall financial picture.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved: 2026-2027 Valdez City Schools Budget (motion carried 6-0-1).
  • Approved: MOA with Silver Linings Management, LLC for operation of Allison Point Campground (6-0-1).
  • Approved: City of Valdez Public Art Policy (6-0-1).
  • Approved: Contract with New Horizons Inc. for Radio Infrastructure Upgrade Project, $1,145,135.20 (6-0-1).
  • Adopted: Ordinance #26-02 (Firefighter Collective Bargaining) on second reading (6-0-1).
  • Approved: Resolution #26-24 (dispose of city records); #26-25 (appoint election judges/clerk for May 5 municipal election, set compensation); #26-26 (waive solid waste fees for Community Clean-Up Day on May 16); #26-27 (authorize lease for Visitor Center at 309 Fairbanks Ave) — all 6-0-1.
  • Vote: All consent agenda items approved.
  • Directives: City manager to send notification to RV park owners about proposed public accommodation tax ordinance (to include RVs, effective January 2027); first reading scheduled for next meeting. City clerk to send scholarship applications to council members for All America City Scholarship Committee.
  • Upcoming Events: Municipal election May 5, 2026 (polls open 7 AM at three precincts); absentee voting available at city hall. CVEA annual meeting also May 5. Community Clean-Up Day May 16. Sixth-grade class mock council meeting scheduled for April 22.

Meeting Transcript

City Council of Order. We could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which the same as one nation under indivisible. All right. Madam City Clerk, if you take the roll call, please. Yes, Mayor Potem. All members of City Council are present this evening, with the exception of Mayor Fleming, who is absent and excused. Great. So next up is public appearances, and if there's no objections, I'd like to move the uh oath of the office of discharge for Officer Hudson up to number one, if that's all right. And then we're gonna have um Lynette Oliver from the Valdez Alleged Adventure Alliance. I think talk uh gives it update on the bike bash after the UAF T3 update if that works for everybody. All right. Officer Hudson, you come forward. I would have you go to the mic here and read your vote of ethics if I'm first there on there you go. As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve all people, safeguard lives and property, to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder, and to respect the constitutional rights of all people to liberty, equality, and justice. Uh officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions with no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals. Malice or will, never employing unnecessary force or violence, and never accepting gratuities. I will recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession, law enforcement. Okay, so this was a little bit easier, all I can have to say is I do. Okay, can we have you raise your right hand as a sign of oath, please? Do you, Chase Hudson, solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alaska against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will faithfully discharge the duties upon which you are about to enter? I do. And do you further swear that you will not advocate or are nor have ever been a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overflow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence, and that during such time as you are member of any organization for civil defense within the state of Alaska, you will not advocate nor become a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overflow overflow of the government of the United States or of this state by force or violence. Thank you, Officer Hudson, for your service to our community. Appreciate it. All right, thank you. All right. Next up on our public appearances, we have Copper Valley Electric Association. I believe Morgan and Barry are going to be coming up. Let's come on up. Hey, well, good evening, City Council. My name is Morgan Melton, and I am the Chief Communications Officer over at Copper Valley Electric. So we're here for two things. The first is to give a formal invitation to our annual meeting. And then the second is to introduce our new chief operating officer Barry Jackman. So Barry recently took over for Wayne McKinsey and is based out of our Valdez office. And before I jump into annual meeting details, I want to give Barry a chance to introduce himself and share a little about his background coming to C VEA. We're super glad to have him on our team. Thanks, Morgan. We say new, but I've actually been here for over seven months now. And I've been very busy learning. My wife and kids are still in Kenai. I'm a lifelong Alaska resident. I was born and raised in Kenai. Lived there my whole life. I spent the night last 19 years working for Homer Electric Association. And this was the opportunity came up, and uh we came here for a visit and the interview, and just my wife fell in love with the place. So they're not here yet. I'm in the middle of purchasing a house.

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